Closing device for doors



July 1, 1969 T JERILA ET AL 3,452,387

CLOSING DEVICE FOR DOORS Filed Oct. 9, 1967 Sheet of s INVENTOES 752577 7 TJER/LA,

FRANK A, HOLMES Maw/vsy 6r HORA/BAKER A 7'70EA/E r5 July 1, 1969 T JERILA ET AL CLOSING DEVICE FOR DOORS Filed Oct. 9, 1967 Sheet 2' of s mvzuroes 702577 If L/ER/LA FRANK A. HOLMES MAHOAIEY & HOQA/BAKEQ A 7702A/E ya July 1, 1969 JERILA ET AL 3,452,387

CLOSING DEVICE FOR DOORS Filed on. 9, i967 Sheet 3 of s INI/ENTOES 70/?5 77 'Z' 7' JER/LA, FRANK A. HOLMES MAHONE) hozA/aA/ase nited States Patent US. Cl. 16-72 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Mounting bracket spaced sideplates journal a cam member between aligned ends thereof, with the sideplate opposite ends being joined by a tie bracket. A slidable tie bracket is pin-slot retained between said sideplates and mounts a cam roller resiliently urged toward and rolling over a cam member peripheral cam surface by a spring between said tie brackets. The cam member is symmetrical having a door closed depression, a diametrically opposed door stop projection and intermediate door opening surfaces therebetween. The mounting bracket is door connected and the cam is plate connected to a frame -by a coaxially received pin, pin fins being axially slidably received in cam center-bore slots.

Background of the invention This invention relates to a closing device for doors of the type normally used with the relatively massive doors of certain appliances, such as refrigerators and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a closing device for doors providing a door with a positive closed position, a multiplicity of random open positions and a positive normal maximum open position, all incorporated in a unique closing device structure of far less weight and size than has heretofore been possible. Still further, the closing device of the present invention provides unique versatility and interchangeability, the same structure being adaptable to either right-hand or left-hand opening doors with the mere reversal of certain parts thereof during the original assembly.

Various prior forms of door closing devices of the general character and for the uses herein involved have been heretofore provided, all of which, to our knowledge, being relatively massive and heavy in weight. Such massiveness has resulted from the fact that the doors being controlled are relatively heavy requiring the door closing device to be of high strength and reaction power for proper control of said doors.

It is common knowledge that in modern appliances, such as refrigerators, the modern insulating materials have permitted a marked reduction in the size of such appliances for comparable capacity, and the weights thereof have been correspondingly reduced. Size and weight reduction in appliances is, of course, a definite advantage since such results in a reduction in the floor space required for the same and a reduction in the necessary floor supporting strength. Furthermore, with such size and weight reductions in the overall appliances, the size and weight of the door closing devices, major portions of which must be fully recessed within the appliance doors or other partition members, can become an important factor.

Attempts by others to make comparable size and weight reductions in the door closing devices, to our knowledge, have not been entirely successful and other improvements in such door closing devices have been completely lacking. For instance, the positiveness of action and the durability thereof have remained unimproved for a consider- 3,452,387, Patented July 1, 1969 able period of time, even though the need for such improvement has presented a long felt want and need in the art of door closing devices.

Objects and summary of the invention It is, therefore, an object of our invention to provide a closing device for doors of th character hereinbefore discussed which has high strength with an appreciable reduction in weight, yet the same has long Wearing qualities and requires less mounting space. The door closing device of the present invention uniquely incorporates the use of modern materials, such as plastics, thereby replacing many of the parts previously necessarily formed of metal. This results in size and weight reductions, with increases in both strength and wearability.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a closing device for doors of the type set forth above which is not only extremely positively acting, but additionally provides certain safety features not heretofore provided by similar door closing devices. The closing device of the present invention includes a very positive door closed position, a multiplicity of random door open positions and a positive normally maximum door open position so as to guard a particular door against damage during the door opening operation. Also, due to the unique formation thereof, the door closing device may include a further positively held door open position slightly beyond the normally maximum door open position providing convenience in use of the particular appliance in which the door closing device is incorporated, as well as aiding in guarding said door against inadvertent damage during such use.

It is still a further object of our invention to provide a door closing device of the type hereinbfore set forth having complete versatility and interchangeability, with the same closing device being usable for either right or left-hand opening doors merely by the simple reversal of certain parts thereof during assembly so as to eliminate the necessity of providing separate door closing device units. In other words, according to our present invention, the major portion of our door closing device is completely interchangeable between right and left-hand opening doors. The only reversal of parts required is in one small portion of the device, such reversal being extremely simple and without any added expense.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an appliance having an embodiment of the door closing device of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 55 in FIG. 2;

'FIG. 6 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 77 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the door closing device removed from the appliance of FIGS. 1 through 7 for more clearly illustrating the configuration of the various elements thereof.

Descriptioiz of the best embodiment contemplated Referring to the drawings, a typical appliance is shown having a cabinet, generally indicated at 10, and a door, generally indicated at 12, said cabinet and door being hingedly connected in the usual manner, not shown, and incorporating the embodiment of the closing device of the present inventiontherein. The closing device includes a mounting bracket, generally indicated at 14 and mounting the major portion of the closing device recessed interiorly of the door 12, all of which will be hereinafter more clearly described, said mounting bracket, that is, mounted elements thereof, being pin connected through an upper door surface 16 to an attachment member, generally indicated at 18, extending rearwardly from the door 12 and secured at an upper cabinet surface 20 to the cabinet 10, again in a manner to be hereinafter described.

As hereinbefore alluded to, the particular appliance may be of any usual modern construction, such as a modern refrigerator appliance, and the purpose of the door closing device of the present invention is for controlling the hinged movement of the door 12 relative to the cabinet 10.

More particularly to the mounting bracket 14, said mounting bracket includes a pair of elongated, substantially identical, .but oppositely disposed, sideplates 22 having aligned forward ends 24 formed with axially aligned, circular cam openings 26 therethrough. When the sideplates 22 are brought together in assembled position, as shown, for instance, in FIG. 2, the forward end cam openings 26 receive and journal or rotatably mount opposite axially depending, cylindrical hub portions 28 of a cam, generally indicated at 30, with an enlarged earn surface portion 32 of said cam bein radially exposed between said sideplates. Also, with such mounting, the end extremities of the cam hub portions 28 are axially exposed through the cam openings 26 of each of the sideplate forward ends 24.

A generally Ushaped end tie bracket 34 is mounted between opposite rearward ends 36 of the sideplates 22 having channeled leg portions 38 receiving and spacing apart the sideplate rearward ends equivalent to the spacing apart of the forwards ends 24 thereof by the cam 30. A spring engagement portion 40 extends between the leg portions 38 of the end tie bracket 34 and has a conical protrusion 42 formed thereon facing the opposite sideplate forward ends 24, said spring engagement portion also having an L- shaped attachment flange 44 secured to the door 12, as shown, for instance, in FIGS. 2 through 5, serving to attach the entire mounting bracket 14 to said door. A headed rivet 46 is received through the sideplate rearward ends 36, through the leg portions 38 of the end tie bracket 34 and is formed with a reduced fastening end 48 received through and formed over a washer 50, thereby retaining the sideplate rearward ends 36 assembled with the end tie bracket 34.

A forwardly and rearwardly sliding tie bracket 52 is positioned between the sideplate forward ends 24 rearwardly of the cam 30, said sliding tie bracket being virtually identical to the previously described end tie bracket 34, with the exception of not including the attachment flange 44. Thus, the sliding tie bracket 52 includes the generally U-shaped configuration formed by channeled leg portions 54, in this case, slidably engaged with the sideplate forward ends 24, said leg portions being connected by a spring engagement portion 56 formed with a conical protrusion 58 facing rearwardly. A cylindrical cam follower 62 is rotatably positioned between the leg portions 54 of the sliding tie bracket 52, with the entire sideplate forward ends 24, sliding the bracket 52 and cam follower 62 being retained in assembly by a rivet 64 passing through elongated slots 66 in the sideplate forward ends, coaxially through the cam follower and having a reduced fastening end 68 secured through and over a washer 70.

Thus, due to the slots 66 in the sideplate forward ends 24, the rivet 64 not only retains the desired assembly, as described, and the sideplate forward ends 24 together properly mounting the cam 30, but said rivet also provides the sliding tie bracket 52 and the cam follower 62 forwardly and rearwardly slidable relative to the cam 30, particularly the cam surface portion 32 thereof. Furthermore, a coil compression spring 72 is received between the sideplates 22 extending forwardly and rearwardly between the end and sliding tie brackets 34 and 52, with the spring ends being engaged over the respective tie bracket conical protrusions 42 and 58. The spring 72 will, therefore, at all times resiliently urge the sliding tie bracket 52 with the cam follower 62 forwardly toward the cam surface portion 32 of the cam 30.

The slideplates 22 are preferably each formed intermediate thereof with channeled portions 74 providing side enclosures for a major part of the spring 72 and maintaining said spring properly forwardly and rearwardly aligned with the end and sliding tie brackets 34 and 52. Also, the sideplates 22 are preferably formed with appropriate ribs 76 for lengthwise stiffening. With the configurations shown, the sideplates 22, cam 30 and cam follower 62 may be formed of molded plastic for weight reduction, economy and long wearing qualities, while the remainder of the mounting bracket assembly 14 may be formed of the usual metals.

As probably most clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 8, the cam surface portion 32 of the cam 30 is formed with an arcuate, radially inwardly extending depression 78, a diametrically opposite radially outwardly extending projection 80 having a slight intermediate depression 82 and generally circumferential surface parts 84 extending at opposite sides between said depression 78 and projection 80. As viewed in radial cross section as in FIG. 4, it will be noted that the cam 30, and particularly the cam surface portion 32 thereof, is substantially symmetrical from the functional or operational standpoint, the depression 78 being substantially diametrically opposite the projection 80 and the opposite circumferential surface parts 84 being substantial- 1y diametrically opposite, for purposes to be hereinafter described. Also, the circumferential surface parts 84 slightly progressively decrease in radius from the depression 78 to the projection 80, again for purposes to be hereinafter described.

The cam 30 is formed coaxially with an axially extending engagement opening 86 having diametrically opposed slots 88 running the length thereof. In assembly, the cam engagement opening 86 axially slidably receives a hinge pin 90 of the attachment member 18, said hinge pin having diametrically opposite fins 92 engaged in the opening slots 88, so that the cam 30 and the hinge pin 90 are fixed against relative rotation. It will be noted that from the functional standpoint, it is immaterial from which end the hinge pin 90 is axially received into the cam 30, this again bein for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

A projecting end 84 of the hinge pin '90 is journaled upwardly through the upper door surface 16 by a preferably plastic, flanged bearing collar 96, with said projecting end 94 being received through and engaged with a pin opening 98 of an angularly formed attachment plate 100. The attachment plate 100 overlies the upper cabinet surface 20 of the cabinet 10 and is secured thereto by a series of appropriate fastening members 102 received downwardly through a series of fastener openings 104 and into said cabinet. Again, it will be noted that the hinge pin 90 is secured to the attachment plate 100 at one corner of said attachment plate, with the fastener openings 104 including such openings at the other corners of said attachment plate so that in assembly, the hinge pin 90 could be secured at the other corners of the attachment plate 100, with the remaining openings serving as the fastener openings 104, the purpose thereof also being hereinafter described.

In operation of the closing device of the present invention, when the door 12 is in the closed position relative to the cabinet 10, the cam follower 62 is received nearly fully engaged downwardly within the cam depression 78 so as to constitute a door closed position, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7. 'It is preferred that in such fully door closed position, the cam follower 62 will not be fully circumferen tially into the cam depression 78, but rather will be positioned so as to always tend to urge the door 12 into a further closed position, as shown. Such may :be accomplished by providing slight circumferential angular misalignment between the cam follower 62 and the cam depression 78 in this door closed position and insures that the door 12 will always be securely retained, although selectively releasable from said door closed position. i

Upon the door 12 being selectively moved hingedly toward open position, the cam follower 62 progressively moves radially up out of the cam depression 78, as permitted by the resilient mounting of the coil spring 72, and the fact that the cam 30 is retained stationary with the cabinet through the engagement of the hinge pin 90 and the attachment plate 100. In other words, since the mounting bracket assembly 14 is mounted on the door 12, the sideplates 22 thereof carry the cam follower 62 circumferentially around the cam 30 with the hinged movement of the door 12 while the cam 30 remains stationary with the cabinet 10. During such movement, the cam follower 62 rotates relative to the cam 30 and ultimately begins to roll circumferentially along the one cam circumferential surface part 84, for instance, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4 wherein the cam roller 62 has moved along said circumferential surface part 84 of the cam 30 and is against the cam projection 80.

Thus, the various positions of the cam follower 62 along the cam circumferential surface part 84 will constitute a series or multiplicity of intermediate door open positions. Furthermore, the fact that the cam circumferential surface part 84 decreases slightly and progressively in radius from the cam depression 78 to the cam projection 80 tends to retain the door 12 in any of said intermediate door open positions if hinged movement of the door is ceased rather than urging the door hingedly back toward or to the fully door closed position.

Finally, at the normal termination of the hinged movement of the door 12 in said door opening, the cam follower 62 engages circumferentially against the cam projection 80 in the previously discussed position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4 which constitutes a normal maximum door open position. In other words, if the door 12 is merely urged hingedly open with the normal opening force, the cam follower 62 will engage circumferentially against the cam projection 80, stopping said door in said normal maximum door open position. If, however, it is desired to place the door 12 in a slightly further fixed open position, a more extreme force is exerted on the door 12 and the resilient mounting by the spring 72 will permit the cam follower 62 to roll upwardly onto said cam projection 80 and engage in the intermediate depression 2 of said cam projection so as to retain said door in said fixed open position, as also shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4.

One of the safety features of the closing device of the present invention is provided by the fact that in the event the door 12 would have sufiicient space to move hingedly beyond this last described fixed open position and would be urged by a very extreme force thereagainst beyond such fixed open positon, the cam follower 62 can move on downwardly onto the opposite of the cam circumferential surface part 84. It is impossible, therefore, to damage the cam 30 or the cam follower 62 by such extreme forces.

During the closing movement of the door 12, the relative rotation betweeen the cam follower 62 and the cam 30 is, of course, just the opposite. Upon the cam follower 62 rolling over the arcuate edge of the cam depression 78, the door 12 will immediately be relatively strongly urged into the fully closed position and releasa'bly retained therein, as before described The improved versatility and interchangeability of the door closing device of the present invention is illustrated by the fact that if it is desired to mount the door closing device at the opposite side of the door 12 between said door and the cabinet 10, it is only necessary to reverse the positioning of the mounting bracket assembly 14 without altering or reversing any of the parts thereof and it is only necessary to assemble the hinge pin 90 at another corner of the attachment plate 100, engaging the same through the appropriate fastening opening 104, with the present pin opening 98 serving as the displaced fastener opening 104. In such event, the hinge pin 90 would be received axially into the cam pin opening 98 from the opposite end of the cam 30, while the entire operation of the closing device would remain precisely the same due to the symmetrical formation of the cam and the identical diametrically opposite circumferental surface parts 84.

The closing device of the present invention, therefore, provides complete versaitility and interchangeability with only a slight reverse positioning of certain of the parts thereof during assembly, with all of said parts remaining the same and functioning virtually in the same manner. As a result, the closing device of the present invention may be quickly adapted for either right or left-hand opening doors.

Furthermore, and as hereinbefore described, the closing device of the present invention has relatively high strength, but yet is relatively light in weight, since use is made therein a large number of plastic components. S uch plastic components give the additional advantages of providing long wearing qualities, far greater than the same parts formed from metal and also permit the size of the closing device to be maintained at a minimum. Mounting space for the closing device is, therefore, minimized and there is no appreciable weight addition to the overall appliance weight.

Still further, by virtue of the unique arrangement of the cam follower 62 and the cam 30, the closing device of the present invention provides a secure closed position for the door 12 relative to the cabinet 10, a multiplicity of intermediate door open positions and a fully door open position. The latter fully door open position is positively defined by the cam follower 62 circumferentially engaging the cam projection 80. Even beyond this, however, the door 12 may be moved to a fixed door open position by a further more extreme opening force being exerted thereagainst, causing the cam follower 62 to ride upwardly onto the cam projection and engage in the intermediate depression 82 of said projection to securely retain the door in said fixed open position.

We claim:

1. In a closing device for hingedly mounted doors and the like, the combination of: a mounting bracket; a cam member rotatable on said mounting bracket; a cam follower on said mounting bracket resiliently urged radially toward engagement with said cam member; cam surface means on said cam member radially engaged by said cam follower controlling relative circumferential movement of said cam follower and mounting bracket with respect to and around said cam member; a pin coaxially slidably received within said cam member and having a part projecting axially from an end of said cam member; radial engagement means between said pin and cam member axially slidably engaged during said reception of said pin within said cam member requiring simultaneous rotative movement of said pin and cam member; an attachment member secured to said projecting pin part axially adjacent said cam member end and axially spaced from one side of said mounting bracket; means on said attachment member for securing said attachment member to one of a door and doorframe; and means on said mounting bracket for securing said mounting bracket to the other of said door and doorframe.

2. A closing device as defined in claim 1 in which said radial engagement means between said pin and cam member includes at least one radially projecting and axially extending pin on one of said pin and cam member axially slidably received in a corresponding slot in the other of said pin and cam member.

3. A closing device as defined in claim 1 in which said radial engagement between said pin and cam member includes diametrically opposed fins on said pin projecting radially outwardly from and extending axially along said pin axially slidably engaged in corresponding slots formed in said cam member. v

4. A closing device as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting bracket includes a pair of spaced sideplates; and in which said cam member is generally cylindrical having reduced and portions, said cam member being positioned between said mounting bracket sideplates with said reduced end portions journaled in said sideplates and said pin received coaxially within said cam member through one of said sideplates.

5. In a closing device for hingedly mounted doors and the like, the combination of: a mounting bracket including a pair of sideplates having aligned ends; a cam'member journaled between said sideplate ends; a cam follower mounted between said sideplates radially movable relative to said cam member; resilient means mounted between said sideplates for resiliently urging said cam follower radially against said cam member; cam surface means on said cam member radially engaged by said cam follower controlling relative circumferential movement of said cam follower and sideplates with respect to and around said earn member; means for retaining said sideplates together journaling said cam member and mounting said cam follower and resilient means; and means for connecting said mounting bracket with one of a door and doorframe and for connecting said cam member with the other of said door and doorframe.

6. A closing device as defined in claim 5 in which said mounting bracket sideplates are opposed, substantially identical sideplates.

7. A closing device as defined in claim 5 in which said retaining means includes a tie bracket between said mounting bracket sideplates radially slidable relative to said sideplates, said cam follower being mounted on and slidably movable with said tie bracket; and in which said resilient means is mounted between said sideplates against said tie bracket and resiliently urging said tie bracket and cam follower radially toward said cam member.

8. A closing device as defined in claim 5 in which said retaining means includes an end tie bracket between said mounting bracket sideplates at ends of said sideplates opposite from said aligned ends journaling said cam member,

a slidable tie bracket mounted between said sideplates radially movable relative to said cam member and mounting said cam follower radially movable relative to said cam member, tie pins extending through said sideplates and said end and slidable tie brackets retaining said sideplates and tie brackets assembled, slot means between-said slidable tie bracket retaining pin and one of said sideplates and slidable tie bracket mounting said slidable tie bracket for said slidable movement relative to said cam member; and in which said resilient means includes a spring mounted between said end and slidable tie brackets resiliently urging said slidable tie bracket and said cam follower radially toward said cam member.

9. A closing device as defined in claim 5 in which said retaining means includes an end tie bracket between said mounting bracket sideplates at ends of said sideplates opposite from said aligned ends journaling said cam member, a slidable tie bracket mounted between said sideplates radially movable relative to said cam'member and mounting said carn follower radially movable relative to said cam member, tie pins extending through said I sideplates and said end and slidable tie brackets retaining said sideplates and tie brackets assembled, slot means between said slidable tie bracket retaining pin and one of said sideplates and slidable tie bracket mounting said slidable tie bracket for said slidable movement relative to said cam member; in which said resilient means includes a spring mounted between said end and slidable tie brackets resiliently urging said slidable tie bracket and said cam follower radially toward said cam member; in which said cam member, said cam follower and said mounting bracket sideplates are formed of plastic; and in which said end and slidable tie brackets, said tie pins and'said spring are formed of metal.

10. A closing device as defined in claim 5 in which said retaining means includes an end tie bracket between said mounting bracket sideplates at ends of said sideplates opposite from said aligned ends journaling said cam memher, a slidable tie bracket mounted between said sideplates radially movable relative to said cam member and mounting said-cam follower radially movable relative to said car'n member, tie pins extending through said sideplates and said end and slidable tie brackets retaining said sideplates and tie brackets assembled, slot means between said slidable tie bracket retaining pin and one of said sideplates and slidable tie bracket mounting said slidable tie bracket for said slid-able movement relative to said cam member; in which said resilient means includes a spring mounted between said end "and slidable tie brackets resiliently urging said slidable tie bracket and said cam follower radially toward said cam member; and in which said sideplates are opposed, substantially identical sideplates,'said sideplates having portions extending axially relative to said cam member substantially encompassing and radially guiding a part of said spring.

11. In aclosing device for hingedly mounted doors and the like, the combination of: a generally cylindrical cam member having a peripheral cam surface; a cam follower resiliently urged radially against said cam surface and circumferentially movable along said cam surface;

moving into said cam surface depression defining a door closed position and releasably retaining said door in said door closed position, said cam follower moving circumferentially along said cam surface intermediate part and defining a'multiplicity of door open positions, said cam follower circumferentially engaging said cam surface projecting part normally stopping further opening movement of said door and defining a normal maximum door open position.

12. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said cam surface depression and projecting part are formed substantially diametrically opposed on said cam member. I

13. A -closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said cam member is substantially symmetrical in radial cross section, said cam surface depression and projecting partbeing substantially diametrically opposed and circumferentially joined in both circumferential directions by substantially identical cam surface intermediate parts.

14. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said resilient urging of said cam follower radially against and arranged permitting movement of said cam follower radially outwardly and circumferentially onto said projecting part grooved surface upon an extreme force being exerted against said door tending to move said door in opening movement beyond said normal maximum door open position, said projecting part grooved surface receiving said cam follower therein and releasably retaining said door in a fixed open position slightly beyond said normal maximum door open position.

16. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said cam surface projecting part terminates radially outwardly in an axially grooved surface, said resilient urging of said cam follower being constructed and arranged permitting said cam follower to move radially outwardly and circumferentially over said cam surface projecting part upon an extreme force being exerted against said door tending to move said door beyond said normal maximum door open position, said cam follower engaging in said grooved surface of said cam surface projecting part releasably retaining said door in a fixed door open position when said door is restrained against further opening movement with said cam follower directly radially aligned with said cam surface projecting part.

17. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said cam follower is a cylindrical cam roller; and in which said depression of said cam member cam surface is an arcuate depression extending generally reversely arcuate to said cam surface intermediate part.

18. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said intermediate part of said cam member cam surface decreases progressively in radial dimension in said intermediate part extension from said cam surface depression to said cam surface projecting part.

19. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said cam member is substantially symmetrical in radial cross section, said cam surface depression and projecting part being substantially diametrically opposed with said cam surface intermediate part extending therebetween in either circumferential direction, said cam surface depression being arcuate and extending generally reverse arcuate to said cam surface intermediate part; and in which said resilient urging of said cam follower includes resilient means against said cam follower permitting said cam follower to move radially outwardly and circumferentially over said projecting part of said cam member cam surface upon an extreme force being exerted against said door tending to move said door beyond said normal maximum door open position during which said cam follower moves from one of said cam surface intermediate parts over said cam surface projecting part and onto the other of said cam surface intermediate parts.

20. A closing device as defined in claim 11 in which said cam member is substantially symmetrical in radial cross section, said cam surface depression and projecting part being substantially diametrically opposed with said cam surface intermediate part extending therebetween in either circumferential direction, said cam surface depression being arcuate and extending generally reverse arcuate to said cam surface intermediate part; in which said resilient urging of said cam follower includes resilient means against said cam follower permitting said cam follower to move radially outwardly and circumferentially over said projecting part of said cam member cam surface upon an extreme force being exerted against said door tending to move said door beyond said normal maximum door open position during which said cam follower moves from one of said cam surface intermediate parts over said cam surface projecting part and onto the other of said cam surface intermediate parts; and in which said projecting part of said cam member cam surface includes an outer axially grooved surface, said cam follower engaging in said grooved surface of said cam surface projecting part when said door is restrained with said cam follower directly radially overlying said projecting part grooved surface so as to releasably retain said door in a fixed door open position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,064,809 12/1936 Bersted 16-151 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 7,206 1893 Great Britain.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. I. L. KOHNEN, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 1649 

